Teacher Education

Special Education

The degree programs in special education prepare teachers and researchers to work effectively with students with exceptional needs in a variety of instructional and research environments. Undergraduates may receive a Texas Special Education Teaching Certification by majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Special Education specialization area. Our program leads to dual certification. Students may choose which degree plan best suits their career goals. The advanced degree programs allow individuals to enhance their knowledge of research in special education, become master teachers in specific areas of exceptionality and obtain teaching certification in specialized areas.

Bachelor's Degrees

EC-6 Generalist/ Special Education Degree Plan
Students who successfully complete this degree program and pass the TeXes examinations will be considered a highly qualified teacher as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Act 2004 and No Child Left Behind for both general and special education preschool through 4 th grade

4-8 Generalist/ Special Education Degree Plan
Students who successfully complete this degree program and pass the TeXes examinations, will be considered a highly qualified teacher as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Act 2004 and No Child Left Behind for both general and special education 4 th grade – 8 th grade.

All-Level Special Education Certification

Master's Degrees

The Special Education Program offers two options for the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Special Education.

1. The M.Ed. in Special Education: Intervention Specialist is a new degree program designed to provide educators with knowledge and skills in implementing evidence-based instructional and behavioral interventions for students with disabilities. It leads to certification in special education. If you are already certified in special education, it will better prepare you to be an instructional and behavioral specialist in teaching students with disabilities.

2. The M.Ed. in Special Education: Educational Diagnostician is designed to incorporate elements of the Intervention Specialist with preparation as an Educational Diagnostician. This program leads to certification as an Educational Diagnostician in Texas and will prepare you for expanded leadership opportunities in special education.

Individuals seeking a Master's degree in Special Education in either of these options must have a teaching certification. The certification can be in any field at any level. Individuals who do not have a teaching certification should apply for the Master of Arts in Teaching.

Educational Diagnostician Certification

The Department of Teacher Education's Special Education Program offers coursework leading to a Texas Educational Diagnostician Certification. To obtain certification through Texas Woman’s University an individual must have:

A Master’s degree in a field of Education (an individual may work on a Special Education Master’s concurrently with diagnostician certification)

Valid Texas Teaching Certification

Three years teaching experience

36 hours of specified coursework ( must have a minimum of 18 graduate hours and a minimum of 12 graduate hours taken from TWU)

After being admitted to the Graduate School and the Teacher Education Special Education Graduate Program, the certification candidate must meet with a Diagnostician Coordinator to complete an Educational Diagnostic Certification Worksheet.

Doctoral Degree

The Special Education Program offers a Ph.D. in Special Education under guidelines established by the Federation of North Texas Area Universities. The program enables students to use the combined faculty, library, computer facilities and research opportunities available at both Texas Woman's University and the University of North Texas.

Information regarding admission procedures and expectations for doctoral students are in the Special Education Ph.D. Handbook.